Stiffener for brief cases and the like



c. WINKLER ET AL STIFFENER FOR BRIEF CASES AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 7, 1924 March 22-, 1927.

. ATTO NEY the top of the brief case.

Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

OFFICE.

CHARLES WINKLER, F NEWARK, AND WILLIAM H. BITTNER, OF GLEN RIDGE, NEW JERSEY} SAID BITTNER ASSIGNOR TO SAID WINKLER.

STIFFEITER FOR BRIEF CASES AND THE LIKE.

Application filed October 7, 1924. Serial No. 742,131.

This invention relates to an improved stiffening bar and handle securing means and is adapted for use on articles having a somewhat flexible top to which the handle is connected and the articles on which the bar is most frequently used are brief cases.

The invention provides a bar that is in one piece and has loops to receive the handle or the D-rings of the handle and which is held in positionby the formation of the loops which are pushed up through slits in the top of the brief case and the material of the case presses on the loops to force the bar up against the inside or lower face of The device also is used for holding a covering for the loops in place and taut without any adhesive or any mechanical means other than that provided by the conformation of the loops of the bar.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a view of the upper part of a brief case with a portion thereof shown in section and illustrating the improved stiffener bar in place. Figure 2 is an enlarged top view of the bar and part of the case and with the handle detached. Figure 8 is a plan of a blank for covering the loop when desired. Figure 4 is a perspective view of one end of the bar and with a modified form of end.

The drawing shows a conventional brief case 10 with the usual top 11 which is a fold of leather closing over the open top of the receptacle part of the case. The handle 12 and the [ii-rings 13 can be of the conventional type.

The stiffener bar 1a is of fairly thick metal and is stiff enough to carry the usual load of a brief case. The bar is provided with loops 1.5 which are bent up from the bar and are large enough at their ends to loosely receive the D-rings 13. The loops have narrow neck portions 16 and the loops are forced up through slits 17 in the top 11 of the brief case. The leather is stiff enough to bear tightly against the necks 16 of the loops and as these converge toward the bar the compression of the leather at the sides of the slit has a constant tendency to force the bar tightly against the under face of the top 11. When so pressed the bar has its loops projected well out of the top to receive the D-rings or to receive the handle direct if desired.

The loops can be exposed but it is usually desirable to have them covered and for this purpose we provide strips 18 which are as wide as the bar and as long as the outside face of the loops beyond the bar. The strips 18 are put in place before the cover 11 is forced over the loops so that the edges of the slits force the strips tightly and smoothly over the loops and keep them taut afterward. The strips 18 are usually provided with transverse end pieces 19- which form locks to prevent the strips 18 riding up on the loops if the slits 17 are slightly oversize through wear.

The bar can be stiffened by ribs 20 thereon which are preferably located on the ends 21 that extend beyond the loops toward the ends of the top 11.

We claim:

1. In a carrier with a flexible top having spaced slits, a stiffener bar extending to approximately the ends of the top and having substantially closed integral spaced loops formed thereon and extending through the slits in the top whereby the pressure of the sides of the slits against the outside lower faces of the loops holds the bar against the wider-side of the top, the loops forming means for securing the ends of a handle.

2; In a carrier with a top of limited flexibility, a stiffener bar having loops with narrow necks extending therefrom, H-shaped strips with their cross bars over the loops, the top of the carrier having slits to go over the loops and the cross bars of the strips whereby the strips are held taut on the loops and the bar is held against the inside face of the top.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing, we have hereto set our hands, this 17th day of September, 1924.

CHARLES WINKLER. M. H. BITTNER. 

